Tips for using Lyman 55 powder measure

[Melnic]

I got a Lyman 55 free from a shooting buddy that does not reload anymore (along with some other goodies).

This has 3 bars and I'm doing Pistol right now so I'm not using the big bar right now, just the medium and small one. Any tips? I was thinking I'd align the medium and small one then get just under weight, then fine adjust with the small bar. I can see where one can get into trouble with this and either create a ledge for the powder to sit on or use the large bar with only a small gap and create a void. When he gave it to me, that was the case, He had the large bar with only a little 1mm gap and I"m sure his thows were all over the place. It came with the diverter and I"m getting throws pretty good +/- .1grn for a 4.6grn load

 

[coopermania]

You will find a complete pdf file on Lymans website for using the 55 measure.

http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/scales-measures/pdf/LyC_SM_PM_55Cl.pdf

 

[John from MD]

That is the only measure I never had great success with. It seemed to cut powder grains more than my RCBS.

Basically you adjust the different chambers to give the volume that you want. I guess it may work well with pistol powders but I couldn't get good repeatability with rifle powders.

John

 

[DocAitch]

Lyman 55

It's the only measure that I have that will throw W296 without leaking powder out the seams. I tried to adjust the bars so that the steps are small between the chamber slides. My charges run in the 12-25 gr range and I am getting good repeatability. It is not as convenient nor as easy to adjust as the screw adjusted chambers, so I use other measures for other powders.
I can see where stick powders or very small charges might be problematic.
DocAitch
PS After reading the instructions cited above, I see that I am not using the slides as recommended. I will try the recommended way next reloading session.

 

[Pinecone]

The thing you want to prevent is the small bar overlapping the medium bar, or medium overlapping the large.

So adjust medium and small to be even and throwing just UNDER the desired charge. Then adjust the small to fine tune. This way there is not lip to catch powder.

I also found that it helped to tap the handle twice at each end of the stroke for consistent drops. So when you move the handle down to, tap against the stop. Then when you move it up to drop, tap twice against the stop.

The early ones had a weight to tap the body of the measure to make more consistent drops.

 

[Melnic]

The thing you want to prevent is the small bar overlapping the medium bar, or medium overlapping the large.

So adjust medium and small to be even and throwing just UNDER the desired charge. Then adjust the small to fine tune. This way there is not lip to catch powder.

Yes, I mentioned that in original post.

I also found that it helped to tap the handle twice at each end of the stroke for consistent drops. So when you move the handle down to, tap against the stop. Then when you move it up to drop, tap twice against the stop.

The early ones had a weight to tap the body of the measure to make more consistent drops.

I'll try that next batch. It does have the weight on it.

I am still using a single stage press and I did a box of 50 this morning weighing each charge before dumping into a case. The manual is helpful but I think using the medium bar for 4.7grains of Unique is better than the small bar. I tried the small bar per the manual and throws were ranging .5grains. That's not gonna work for me to be off that far. I used the medium bar only and it was pretty consistent with one or two light or heavy. Once I filled up the hopper about 3/4 full, then dumped 10 loads into the bottle, it was +/- .1grn for the last 25 rounds. I'm targeting 4.7 and got 4.6-4.8 for the last 25 with most being 4.7. I guess just like anything, the manual is a guide and it takes time get confidence in it. Unique is a flake powder. I'm guessing other powders may work better in this.

 

[ibang1]

I have the Lyman on my Lee Loadmaster. I just finished loading my 300 blackout and it's been perfect. I used the Lyman with Hodgdons Lil Gun. I used the larger slide to get where I need the charge and the smaller to fine tune. I don't even use the tap handle. I do like that I don't have any powder mess.

 

[Pinecone]

Yes, I mentioned that in original post.

You did say something about this, but I was trying to make it a bit clearer

I'll try that next batch. It does have the weight on it.

I removed the weight, and just used the tap-tap method. And loaded a lot of rounds in college that way.

I am still using a single stage press and I did a box of 50 this morning weighing each charge before dumping into a case. The manual is helpful but I think using the medium bar for 4.7grains of Unique is better than the small bar. I tried the small bar per the manual and throws were ranging .5grains. That's not gonna work for me to be off that far. I used the medium bar only and it was pretty consistent with one or two light or heavy. Once I filled up the hopper about 3/4 full, then dumped 10 loads into the bottle, it was +/- .1grn for the last 25 rounds. I'm targeting 4.7 and got 4.6-4.8 for the last 25 with most being 4.7. I guess just like anything, the manual is a guide and it takes time get confidence in it. Unique is a flake powder. I'm guessing other powders may work better in this.

Experimentation to find what works for YOU is part of the fun.

 

[Melnic]

Did another 100 this morning. I found tapping twice on the drop worked pretty darn well.
Double tapping on the load added about .1grain on average but did not really increase consistency significantly. Once again, I'm using the middle bar and small bar even with each other and adjusting with the middle only.

The 1st 50, I measured weight on each one. The 2nd 50, I loaded right into a case. Then visually inspected. If they are off by .2grains or more, its somewhat easy to tell. Anything off .3grains or more is very noticeable. I had no throws more than .1 off for the 2nd run of 50.

I had been using a dipper and this is now speeding things up. He also gave me a Lyman Turret Press (edit: its a Lyman Tmag 2), but I have yet to pull that out. I'm still single staging it at this point. I have done 2,000 pistol rounds and 500 rifle rounds that way so far since starting in the spring of 2013.

 

[coopermania]

Your doing fine Sir, Now bust out that Turret and slowly speed things up.